Laurent Mekies explains how Max Verstappen has ‘surprised’ him since joining Red Bull

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Red Bull have faced a major change in personnel in 2025 as Laurent Mekies replaced Christian Horner shortly after the British Grand Prix.

Red Bull sacked Horner after 20 years in charge, with the exact reason for his dismissal still not being disclosed. Racing Bulls boss Mekies was called up to replace him and was immediately thrown into a difficult situation.

The Milton Keynes outfit have regressed in 2025, with Max Verstappen scoring all but nine of Red Bull’s points thus far. Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have both struggled in the second RB21, with the former being demoted back to Racing Bulls after just two races.

To make Mekies’ situation even harder, Verstappen was being targeted by Mercedes for a possible move in 2026. Verstappen has been critical of the RB21 this season, and Toto Wolff saw this as an opportunity to pursue a deal, having missed out on the Dutchman in 2024.

Thankfully for Red Bull, Mekies’ ‘declaration of love’ convinced Verstappen to stay for 2026. The team will introduce their power unit next year as part of the new technical regulations, which the four-time champion hopes will return him to the front of the grid.

Laurent Mekies has been ‘surprised’ by Max Verstappen’s efforts outside of the car since joining Red Bull

Verstappen has himself admitted that he is not in the 2025 title fight. After finishing second at his home race at Zandvoort, he is now 104 points behind Oscar Piastri, who claimed his seventh win of the season at the Dutch Grand Prix.

The Red Bull star has produced some standout performances, driving the tricky RB21 to two wins at Suzuka and Imola, as well as four pole positions. But the car lacks the race pace of the McLarens, with Verstappen and Mekies now focused on the 2026 regulations.

The former will be determined to return to the top of F1 next year, and Mekies has admitted that Verstappen has taken him aback since joining Red Bull. Speaking with Bild, he says that the Dutchman is ‘even better’ outside of the car with his feedback.

“I have to admit, he surprised me. Of course, I knew he was an exceptional driver, but otherwise, we had little contact,” he said.

“After the first four weeks, I can say: Max is even better outside the car than in it. The feel he has for the car and the detailed feedback he can provide to the engineers is something truly special.

“Added to that is how critical he is of himself and his driving style. His focus is always on what can be improved.”

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

What Laurent Mekies must do to keep Max Verstappen at Red Bull beyond 2026

Verstappen is looking forward to working with Mekies, with his arrival being a much-needed fresh start after months of turbulence and controversy under Horner’s reign. But the former Racing Bulls boss has a huge task on his hands to keep the Dutchman happy.

Verstappen has pulled off a ‘genius’ move in the F1 driver market by waiting until 2027 to decide his future. He wants to see where the teams are under the new rules in 2026, with Verstappen’s more favourable exit clauses in his contract giving him the chance to leave Red Bull early.

Verstappen says his communication with Mekies must improve as their relationship develops. He has been impressed by the early signs, but he sees scope for it to get ‘better and better’.

The obvious issue at Red Bull lies with the car and whether the 27-year-old can fight for a championship with the team’s power unit next year. Robert Doornbos has told Red Bull to change the technical department, otherwise Verstappen will not win a title ‘anytime soon’.

Pierre Wache is under pressure to deliver a competitive car next season. Furthermore, Verstappen has warned Red Bull owners that they must convince him that sacking Horner was the right direction, thus mounting huge expectations on Mekies to perform.